Monday, April 26, 2010

Confederate Memorial Day

photo: Richard & Salena Marie Mann.

I like soldiers. I like ours, I like theirs.

Throughout history, soldiers have for the most part, been obedient kids, doing a job their elders told them to do without thought, or concern for the reasons why. They have done their work honorably, to the best of their ability for nothing in return.

I firmly believe that if the pool of conscripts began with 40 to 50 year olds, the world would be a much safer place.

Today, throughout much of the south is Confederate Memorial Day. Without turning the day into a apologist nightmare of code words, and hate speech, I find the tribute fitting.

Americans died during the Civil War, in places far from home, in venues hardly imagined. The memorial above is in Higginsville, Missouri, near Kansas City. The men memorialized there fought and died, some for a cause they believed in, some because fighting was expected of them.

History is not just about the winners. Today, we honor their sacrifice.

13 comments:

Let us also recall that over 600,000 Americans were killed during the Civil War. In my mind, the American people have already paid "reparations" for slavery, the "peculiar institution" that was a gift from the British, extant on our shores since long before we were a country.

You're onto a great idea there, Toad! If the first up were middle aged, it would be safer and, if all else failed, just think how much we'd save on Social Security (just kidding). I have been to the British cemetery for soldiers who died at Montecasino, Italy. The markers only gave the name and age; the ages were appallingly young. What if (in addition to reversing the draft age) we also learned to honour the loss of life from all sides of a war? I may add that to my travel itinerary next time I go to Germany.

Very nice post. Wasn't it Will Rogers that said there wouldnt be any wars if the heads of each country had to go out in a field in their underwear with a big stick and slug it out to settle the dispute?

Toad, I hope on your next trip South that you'll have time in our fair city to see both the National cemetery, which was established after the battles for Atlanta as well as the Confederate cemetery just down the street. They're both beautiful.

I not certain that celebrate is the correct term. Certainly, there are slaves that fought and died during the Civil War. I believe their memories and deaths should be honored, whatever their reasons for fighting.

By the same token I feel the sons of the Confederacy should honor Memorial Day, next month.